Vanessa Burch First Health Sciences Education Researcher Recognized in South Africa

Vanessa Burch, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Clinical Medicine
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa

The National Research Foundation (NRF), the body that evaluates and rates researchers in South Africa, has recognized Vanessa Burch (PHIL 2001), Co-Director of the Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI), as an Established Researcher. Dr. Burch is the first health sciences education researcher ever to be recognized by the NRF, which convened a joint assessment panel comprised of health sciences and education experts to consider her application. Applicants for a researcher rating are subject to a rigorous, multiphase selection process that includes evaluation by at least six peer reviewers and a specialist committee in addition to the final assessment panel. Decisions are based on the quality of an applicant’s research-based outputs over an eight-year period, the impact his/her work has in the field and related fields, and the applicant’s standing as a researcher from a national and international perspective.